European Footballer of the Year 1966
World Cup Top Scorer 1966 - 9 goals

Eusebio Ferreira Da Silva, the leader of a group of African footballers to come into prominence in the 1960's, made an enormous impact on Portuguese football. Eusebio was born in the then Portugeuse territory of Mozambique. He began his football career with the Sporting Lourenco-Marques, a nursery club of Sporting Lisbon. Benfica, Sporting's great rival, snapped up the young Eusebio upon his arrival into Portugal.

Eusebio was the top scorer at the 1966 World Cup (9 goals) held in England. Here his lightning fast acceleration and wonderful dribbling skills earned him acclaim. His trademark was a spectacular shot, which allied to his powerful running and dribbling skills, made him one of the most dangerous strickers of his era.

He was the Portuguese League's top scorer in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1973. He was the European top scorer in both 1968 (42 goals) and 1973 (40 goals).

After scoring 38 goals in 46 games for Portugal, he had to end his first class career in 1974, when at age 32, he injured his knee so badly he was advised never to play again. In Eusebio's spectacular career he played 715 games and scored 727 goals